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Food, family and memories are as intertwined in the South as if woven on the same thread. At any function we attend, from a party to a wedding to a funeral, we are as likely to talk as much about the food that was there, as we are about why we are gathered. ~Mary Foreman

I'm your cook, not your doctor. ~PAULA DEEN

I found out what the secret to life is: friends. Best friends. ~Ninny Threadgoode

Monday, March 22, 2010

Classic 7 Layer Salad topped with a mayonnaise dressing is a common salad for barbecues and cookouts, parties, potlucks, church suppers and holidays, but why not make one just because?

7 Layer Salad

Seven Layer Salad is a good old-fashioned salad that has been around for years. It's perfect for cookouts, potlucks, church socials, reunions, funerals, and of course, the holidays!! A salad made with 7 layers, typically with lettuce, sometimes tomatoes, chopped and sliced boiled eggs, peas, celery, bacon and cheese, or really whatever your favorite tossed salad ingredients are. Then the salad is topped off with a thick layer of a mayonnaise based dressing, often Ranch dressing, and tossed just before serving. Seven Layer Salad was a very popular salad back in the 70s and 80s, and though it kind of went the wayside for awhile, it seems to be making a resurgence. Since I am determined to bring back some of those old classics, I, for one, am thrilled.

For my layers I like to use shredded romaine lettuce, Roma tomatoes, boiled eggs, frozen green peas that are lightly steamed, celery, bacon and cheddar cheese. I finish it with a slightly sweetened, but tangy, mayonnaise dressing on top. Layer the ingredients from the outside rim of the bowl and then in toward the middle, so that you get a little peek of everything from the outside of the bowl. The dome of a covered cake plate, turned over and placed into a smaller, wide bowl, makes a great container for the party size salad - just make sure it is seated well and won't shift around.

Truth is, what you layer it with, and how many layers is really up to you, so change it up and go with as many layers as you like. Make it your own! Tomatoes aren't included in most versions but I like to use them myself. If you want to include tomato, all you need to do is seed and clean them well, and make sure that they are very dry. I clean, dry and then chop them first, followed by a gentle squeeze in layers of paper towels to extract most of the juice. Then use those on the very next layer after the first layer of lettuce. That way any juices that do release from the tomatoes, will filter through the lettuce and down into the bottom of the bowl. I like to use romaine lettuce because that is typically what we have in the house, but iceberg is traditional. You can substitute other lettuces, and even spinach if you prefer.

I personally think that this salad deserves a clear bowl so that you can show off all of the layers, but of course you can certainly prepare it in a large baking pan for convenience sake if you're toting it to an event. Sliced eggs on the side of the bowl are pretty though, so I do that and then add chopped egg in the center. If you prefer to cut down on the eggs, simply layer in the chopped egg or do only the sliced egg. Peas are a usual and nice addition, and I like to lightly steam them. Let them cool before adding them to the salad. You can also use well drained, canned peas and I highly recommend Le Sueur here. In my salad, celery goes next and then the remaining shredded lettuce.

A sprinkling of bacon comes next and then a layer of shredded cheese. Cheddar is typical, but use your favorite. The amounts given on all ingredients in the recipes are strictly estimates, because honestly it is pretty dependent on the size of bowl you are using. If it's a very large bowl, you will have to adjust up many of the ingredients.

The dressing, which can be this simple mayo mix, a homemade or bottled ranch, or whatever dressing you prefer, should be spread on the top all the way to edges. An offset spatula is a good tool for this, and is what I use. You can also use sour cream instead of mayonnaise, or even Miracle Whip, which is actually a salad dressing. If you do use Miracle Whip, reduce or even eliminate the sugar because it is higher in sugar and a fairly sweet dressing already, so you'll want to taste before adding in any additional sugar. Some people also like to thin out the dressing so that rather than acting to seal the salad, it sort of seeps down through the salad. I think that mostly depends on how far in advance that you make it - too far in advance and you might end up with a soggy salad. I think I'll stick with sealing the salad!

Just before serving the salad, garnish the top with just a bit of sliced green onion, and bring it to the table so it can be admired. Then you can either let everybody scoop out their own serving digging through the layers, or else toss it at the table first before passing.

I've downsized this recipe for the two of us - though in reality even the smaller salad should feed at least four, and possibly even more. I've also included that version at the bottom, just in case you would like to mix one of these wonderful salads up for a slightly smaller "party" of just a few for an everyday salad.

In a small, clear glass bowl, add half of the shredded lettuce. Lightly squeeze the chopped tomato in layers of paper towels. Sprinkle the tomatoes on top of the lettuce layer, sprinkling all around the outside edges first and working toward the middle. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Slice enough of the boiled eggs to line completely around the outside of the dish first, then chop the remaining eggs and sprinkle all around the inside on top of the tomatoes. Add the peas, again starting from the outside edges and toward the middle. Repeat with the chopped celery. Sprinkle lightly with more salt and pepper. Add the remaining shredded lettuce, top with the chopped bacon and the shredded cheese. Drop the dressing over the top in dollops and spread evenly across the top all the way to the edges, sealing the salad. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Before serving add sliced green onion, bring to the table and either use salad tongs to extract servings, or toss entire salad before serving, if desired.

Cook's Notes: Ingredient amounts are estimates and depend on the size container you are using. Iceberg lettuce is traditional in this dish, but feel free to mix it up a bit. Use romaine, butter, spinach, or other salad greens, alone or in combination with the iceberg. One packet of dry ranch dressing mix is equal to about 3 tablespoons. Feel free to substitute a commercial dressing for this salad also.

Other layers to consider: Chopped red, yellow or green bell pepper, sliced, grated or shredded carrots, chopped broccoli, chopped cauliflower, chopped or sliced sweet yellow or red onion, sliced radishes, water chestnuts, sliced jalapeno, sliced mushrooms, cucumber, seeded and chopped - to name a few. Substitute or add in a layer of bow tie pasta, or your favorite pasta, tossing it in a few tablespoons of the dressing. Make it your own!

In a small, clear glass bowl, add half of the shredded lettuce. Lightly squeeze the chopped tomato in layers of paper towels. Sprinkle the tomatoes on top of the lettuce layer, sprinkling all around the outside edges first and working toward the middle. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Slice enough of the boiled eggs to line completely around the outside of the dish first, then chop the remaining eggs and sprinkle all around the inside on top of the tomatoes. Add the peas, again starting from the outside edges and toward the middle. Repeat with the chopped celery. Sprinkle lightly with more salt and pepper. Add the remaining shredded lettuce, top with the chopped bacon and the shredded cheese. Drop the dressing over the top in dollops and spread evenly across the top all the way to the edges, sealing the salad. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

Before serving add sliced green onion, bring to the table and either use salad tongs to extract servings, or toss entire salad before serving, if desired.

Material Disclosure: Unless otherwise noted, you should assume that post links to the providers of goods and services mentioned, establish an affiliate relationship and/or other material connection and that I may be compensated when you purchase from a provider. You are never under any obligation to purchase anything when using my recipes and you should always perform due diligence before buying goods or services from anyone via the Internet or offline.

27 comments:

I LOVE 7 layer salad! We have it at all our family dinners (can't wait til Easter to eat it this year). That watergate salad is yummy too. Both are great salad recipes I grew up eating and still look foward to!

Yep, growing up in a Southern Baptist family, you can bet I had many a seven layer salad. Funny thing was I hated peas yet loved them in this salad. (It was because my mom used LeSeur canned peas for everything except this salad, when she used fresh or frozen.)

Made this tonight for dinner (smaller size recipe) to have with beer can chicken....I had forgotten how wonderful it was.....what a delightful meal. Thanks so much for bringing back such a good recipe.

I love all your recipes and comments too. Keep up the fantastic work!!!

I use a similar recipe and always use the Le Seur peas. It seems that even pea haters like them I this salad. My dressing is a cup of mayo mixed with an 8 oz bottle of creamy Italian dressing. My recipe came from a cookbook I got as a wedding gift 28 years ago. Any time I try to change it, I get loud protests.

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